Stem cells are non specialized cells which once given the instructions to become a certain specialized cell become it.
stem cell research in this case embryonic stem cell research is using stem cells from an embryo and programming them so they become what we want them to become for example a heart valve. This is controversial and highly debated because some people in life see this as the killing of life. For example Catholics think that as soon as an egg is fertilized it is classed as a life and holds all the same in a way rights as a person who is not currently an embryo so a baby. so by killing this embryo you are killing a person. However scientists argue before the embryo is fourteen days old it could still fail, split off into twins and has no nervous system so this is no were near being an actual human because there is no guarantee it will even live. ‘Judaism and Islam emphasize the importance of helping others and argue that the embryo does not have full human status before 40 days, so both these religions permit some research on embryos.’ so these two religions have some leeway when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. Unlike Catholics and other branches of Christianity Judaism and Islam think the embryo does not have Human status until it is forty days old. 
(http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/embyronic-stem-cell-research-ethical-dilemma)- Quote used
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